(Clearwisdom.net) I began practicing Falun Dafa before July 20, 1999. The horrific persecution came not long after I started my cultivation in Dafa. At that time, since I did not have a deep understanding of the principles and the teachings of Falun Dafa, I did not do well in validating Dafa.
I did not know what to do when the persecution was at its worst. At that time, I made up my mind to study the Fa (1) well and behave according to the standard of a practitioner regardless of where I was. With determination, I studied the Fa and practiced the exercises every day. At that time, slanderous lies against Falun Dafa were all over the media. I talked to many people and tried to expose the lies by telling them that a genuine Falun Dafa practitioner would not commit suicide because our Teacher had stated that suicide was a sin. Most people, however, were not willing to listen when the propaganda was running full steam to slander Falun Dafa. I did not know what to do. The persecution was so comprehensive that I was isolated from other practitioners. I did not know about the Falun Dafa websites, nor did I see any articles from the Clearwisdom website. I was stuck in the state of personal cultivation without any interaction with other practitioners. My faith in Dafa and Teacher, however, was strong. I believed that I would receive Teacher's new articles again, and I would once again be taught and guided by Teacher.
In the spring of 2001, I finally received Teacher's new articles, and I was able to contact other practitioners who had been doing well in validating Dafa. I was very happy. I carefully studied Teacher's new articles, and I read experience-sharing articles from other practitioners on the Clearwisdom website. I gained further understandings on the meaning of searching within oneself for shortcomings. While my character was improving, I continued to enlighten to the different meanings of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance at different levels. I finally caught up with the progress of Fa-rectification. Step by step, from not knowing what to do, I learned how to clarify the truth. I gradually improved, and I was able to clarify the truth better and better. Through studying the Fa with a calm mind, I enlightened to the importance of saving sentient beings.
The following are some of my own experiences of clarifying the truth.
When I was distributing truth-clarifying materials in villages, I used to only leave the flyers in front of each door. I did not dare to talk about the truth of Falun Dafa in front of people. Later, I was able to speak and clarify the truth in front of people, but I did not dare to hand flyers out face to face with people. Through carefully studying the Fa, I eliminated my attachment of fear and strengthened my righteous thoughts. Now I can clarify the truth in any situation.
My job often requires me to move from one place to another, and I know that every opportunity is for saving sentient beings. Whenever I meet someone, I always find a chance to clarify the truth to the person in detail. My latest workplace has over twenty people. When I first started working there, none of my co-workers knew that I practice Falun Dafa. I clarified the truth to them by telling them stories during breaks. I understand that the general public can easily accept the lower-level principles of the Fa, and I like to illustrate these principles through stories. All my co-workers enjoyed my stories and my company; they were all willing to hear what I had to say. I sometimes recited Teacher's poems from Hongyin in front of my co-workers, and they all complimented me. I explained to them that that was the wisdom of Falun Dafa, and I told them I am a Falun Dafa practitioner. My co-workers all agreed that it would be great if more people were like me. I also explained to them that all genuine practitioners are like me, and some practitioners are even much better than I am. When some of my co-workers said it would be great if all practitioners were like me, but they did not like those people who set themselves on fire in Tiananmen Square, I explained to them that the so-called "Tiananmen Square Self-immolation Incident" was staged by the government to frame Falun Dafa. I also gave them truth-clarifying flyers and video CDs. After learning the facts, some of my co-workers stated that they knew the TV reports were fabricated lies, but they did not know exactly what was going on until now. Some of my other co-workers also said they would have remained deceived had I not explained the facts to them. Now they all understand the truth.
I often come into contact with people from other cities in my work, and I actively take the initiative to try and meet with them. Through conversations, they felt that I was a good person and were willing to talk to me. Therefore, I was able to clarify the truth to these people and give them truth-clarifying materials. There were some people who did not want to accept the materials at the beginning. However, after they saw other people take the materials they came back and asked me for the materials. Some of these people visited my office again, and we became friends. They asked me for truth-clarifying flyers or video CDs and said they would go back to their offices and help me to spread the truth. Some of them also said they would spread the truth when they went back to their hometowns.
In my area, there were some practitioners who did not come out to clarify the truth, and they did not keep up with the progress of Fa-rectification. Due to my efforts, some of them are slowly coming out. Some practitioners did not dare to validate Dafa or clarify the truth even in front of their own relatives; now they can clarify the truth and hand out flyers to strangers.
Teacher is giving me opportunities to establish mighty virtue; I must do my best so that I will not let Teacher down.
Notes:
(1) Fa -- the principles and teachings of Falun Dafa.